tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934152162814646002017-11-06T02:51:38.862-05:00TODAY'S ACC HEADLINESGPnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8672125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-84117376532110118392013-03-26T09:08:00.000-04:002013-03-26T09:46:22.732-04:00R.I.P. T.A.H. 2005 - 2013: ACC Sports Blog To Close Shop On Day Of Important Surgery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MgS0KHgL8Jk/UVCG3wDOfxI/AAAAAAABCyg/eoTLjZzpofE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-25+at+1.17.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MgS0KHgL8Jk/UVCG3wDOfxI/AAAAAAABCyg/eoTLjZzpofE/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-25+at+1.17.41+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: center;"><div class="p1"><span class="s1">(Steve Kohls&nbsp;/&nbsp;Brainerd Daily Dispatch via AP)</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Dear loyal readers, not-so-loyal readers, people who hate to read and the general public at large including the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (which never invited us to play in their stupid sandbox):<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The goal was to reach 1 million visits and then close shop. That said, for reasons unknown to anybody at T.A.H. Worldwide Media Headquarters, readership has crashed and burned of late.&nbsp; This week in 2012, T.A.H. was visited over 5,000 times. Three weeks ago, a total of 951.&nbsp; On one day in March of 2012, over 1,000 people visited the site, on Valentine’s Day 2013, just 87.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Weekly visits have gone from almost 6,000 during early March of last year to an average of around 1,300…the crashing trend started at the beginning of this year. Yes, I have Google Analytics, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what it’s telling me and even if I can decipher the code, it doesn’t tell me&nbsp;<b><i>WHY</i></b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">While everybody enjoys a hobby and a good laugh, there is no reason to produce something that nobody reads. There is enough crap in cyberspace as it is…(Sorry to call those of you that are loyal readers “nobody,” but you get the point.)&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I believe the decline is caused by a number of factors.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">First of all, it’s possible - unlikely mind you - but possible, that people have stopped reading ‘cause the content isn’t as good as it once was.&nbsp; Just throwin’ that out there.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Also, expansion, and some other things have really derailed passionate interest in the ACC in particular and college sports in general. The games are still pure, but the money-first back drop is clearly turning fans off.&nbsp; We can escape our cynicism during the actual contests, but it quickly returns when the final whistle blows.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vetZLeH_qso/UVCHUHS-ssI/AAAAAAABCyo/NkOdNi7REnk/s1600/COLTSEAGLES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vetZLeH_qso/UVCHUHS-ssI/AAAAAAABCyo/NkOdNi7REnk/s640/COLTSEAGLES.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="s1">People are still rabid fans of&nbsp;<b><i>THEIR TEAM</i></b>, but the ACC has lost a lot of luster in recent years. Also, the majority of fans take their team’s plight&nbsp;<b><i>VERY</i></b>&nbsp;seriously. The comments I received over the years demonstrated that many readers (and certainly almost all that left comments) didn’t get the joke(s).&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I mean one time, we might have poked a little fun at some seven-year-olds that got their&nbsp;<a href="http://www.todaysaccheadlines.com/2009/08/fyf-colts-run-away-from-eagles-in.html"><span class="s2">collective football butts kicked all over the miniaturized football field (91-0)</span></a>&nbsp;by a team that my son played for and,&nbsp;<b><i>BELIEVE IT OR NOT</i></b>, some parents, coaches and the commissioner of the kid football league took offense even though we said the score was 13-0, as in 13 touchdowns to zero touchdowns which we thought was pretty good “editing.” &nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Alas, skin is thin. That little skirmish damn near cost me my Fauquier Youth Football League press pass! Which, for the record, ain’t that easy to come by (to begin with). Hey now, that’s a double prepositional ending sentence exacta. &nbsp;&nbsp;Two words people: quality journalism. But, I digress…&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">So the audience seem to lack interest in general coverage of the ACC (not to mention my friends and family) and the focus is on the&nbsp;<a href="http://goheels.com/"><span class="s2">GoHeels.com</span></a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://thesabre.com/"><span class="s2">TheSabre.com</span></a>&nbsp;and HokieSports.coms of the world where it’s “all my team, all the time.”&nbsp; Seriously, people actually pay money for “insider” web sites like Rivals.com which burns billions of megabytes each year talking about which 15-year-old may play inside linebacker for (fill in your school's name here) four years from now.&nbsp; Who can run with that?&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOiR5viaGxc/UVCIwz3oKMI/AAAAAAABCy4/Nt-nQ-u2kq8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-25+at+9.12.26+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOiR5viaGxc/UVCIwz3oKMI/AAAAAAABCy4/Nt-nQ-u2kq8/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-25+at+9.12.26+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO GET THIS?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/37804821/VID_20130315_223744.mp4" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span class="s2">VIDEO HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">Add to that, it tough to cover the same stuff over and over and come up with good material. Seriously, how many colonial navy and Led Zeppelin jokes can you make up about John Paul Jones Arena? We wore those out six years ago…And always calling Duke the University of New Jersey at Durham was funny for a year or two, but it can’t hold up forever.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">You need cannon fodder to write comedy, and other than new crime and the ongoing foibles of the NCAA, we’ve pretty well exhausted every humor source in the ACC. Shoot, I even got tired of misspelling Krzyghbd5ski. (Naaaaah. Not really.&nbsp; I still like to misspell Krzschbsg9ski.&nbsp; I like to misspell Krzyhnmp2ski ‘cause it’s funny. Actually, misspelling Krxbnt6ski still makes me and Rob Corrie laugh, so that’s good enough!) Well, that and I never really learned how to spell it correctly. &nbsp;<i>And, in spite of it all, I really do LIKE Coach K and think he's GREAT.*</i></span></div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Let’s face it, teams, coaches and players aren’t as funny as they used to be. Where’s Julius “Snapple” Hodge and Charles “Amphibious” Shackelford when you need them? Remember&nbsp;<a href="http://www.todaysaccheadlines.com/2011/02/where-have-you-gone-jon-scheyer-and.html"><span class="s2">Jon “Crazy Face” Schyer</span></a>…now that was dude was funny.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">But generally speaking it’s hard to be funny everyday first thing in the morning unless there are really good pharmaceuticals in your coffee. There isn’t. I could go all Hunter Thompson, but we all know that isn’t going to end well. I you don’t believe me, just ask Hunter Thompson.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As it stands, T.A.H., like any worthwhile endeavor, requires 1) a lot of work (research, writing, editing and “borrowing” photos) and 2) a fair amount of “give a s***.” The work takes time and time is in short supply.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">“Give a s***” comes and goes and it simply doesn’t lend itself to Syracuse or Pitt. (Now, Notre Dame has potential. Can you imagine the fun we would have had with the Teo catfishing circle jerk if the Golden Domers were really&nbsp;<b><i>IN</i></b>&nbsp;the ACC?)&nbsp; In the immortal words of Dick Enberg: &nbsp;“Oh My.”</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3n9IQV6TCI/UVCJxKr_ItI/AAAAAAABCzA/9XN3y4jGLrw/s1600/001white-shark-kayakTpeschak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3n9IQV6TCI/UVCJxKr_ItI/AAAAAAABCzA/9XN3y4jGLrw/s640/001white-shark-kayakTpeschak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MAMA SAID THERE WOULD BE DAYS LIKE THIS.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">Unfortunately, it’s all starting to feel like work, and that much uncompensated effort can’t last but so long. Creativity takes time. Seriously, it takes a fair amount of time to write a good turtle joke…&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i>WHAT?</i></b>&nbsp;Maryland is going to the&nbsp;<b><i>BIG TEN</i></b>? Well,&nbsp;<b><i>CRAP SANDWICH</i></b>, there’s one more reason to stop the presses!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">In addition, cyber-publishing has changed. Photos are harder and harder to come by as media consolidates.&nbsp; It’s just a matter of time before T.A.H. gets sued for using other’s photos. Mind you, I always credit those photos, but two entities (the Washington Post, and Virginia Tech) have told me to stop reprinting their stuff.&nbsp; Rat bastards.</span></div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Eight long internet years later with jpegs, giffs, photos, links, videos and a zillion bytes of both technology and text, T.A.H. is a pretty good looking product and I remain proud of that. (It looks great on Flipboard on your iPad!). If it had a real editor to fix the typos, it would be really good, but it doesn’t so it isn’t. Such is life.</span></div><div class="p1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NERGHBoKsi0/UVCX8b1_w6I/AAAAAAABCzg/2WimqghXOIA/s1600/001MightyBlazerSwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NERGHBoKsi0/UVCX8b1_w6I/AAAAAAABCzg/2WimqghXOIA/s320/001MightyBlazerSwing.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE SWING THAT BUGGERED UP BLAZE'S HIP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Of course, you must be thinking, “Why now?”&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Why, during the Big Dance are we shuttering the doors?&nbsp;&nbsp;Because in the grand scheme of things a basketball tournament doesn’t matter as much as some malfunctioning body parts...</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">All of that said, somehow we have all arrived at the end of the T.A.H. universe. Like Jim Carey in The Truman Show, I was looking for the end, and by God I think I’ve stumbled upon the perfect concluding event.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I’ve decided to take T.A.H. out in a&nbsp;<b><i>“BLASER OF GLORY”&nbsp;</i></b>along with T.A.H. founding reader and loyal fan Tom Blaser’s hip.&nbsp; When the old hip gets yanked out of T-Blaze’s body&nbsp;<b><i>on MONDAY, 3/25/13</i></b>, T.A.H. will cease publishing new material! &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1">(Editor's note on 3/26/13: Old hip is out, new hip is in, the only remaining question is what will happen to Blaze's "sissy fade.")</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As Douglas Adams so eloquently said in&nbsp;<i>A Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy</i>, “So long, and thanks for all the fish.”&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">It was fun while it lasted, thanks for reading! -- GP, editor/publisher T.A.H.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaC9nTlSvbE/UVCKRq3yTFI/AAAAAAABCzQ/_CZV0fu2LQk/s1600/ScheyerFace01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaC9nTlSvbE/UVCKRq3yTFI/AAAAAAABCzQ/_CZV0fu2LQk/s320/ScheyerFace01.jpg" width="289" /></a><span class="s1"><b><i>P.S. Dear Mr. Snyder:</i></b>&nbsp;I meant everything I said in all those Dear Mr. Snyder posts. Please don’t let Mike Shenanigan-han kill RG3 and try not to let RG3 kill RG3. C’mon, step up, take control of some of the important stuff. Look how well it’s worked out for Jerry Jones!</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Just kidding.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Sort of...</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i>PPS:</i></b>&nbsp;Thanks to the Associated Press, ESPN (especially the ACC football blog), the Raleigh News &amp; Observer (with props to their many excellent photographers), Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! Sports and so many other media outlets that made T.A.H. readable.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">*Item in italics may not be true. &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gep_eaEtvi4/UVCcUqQOE3I/AAAAAAABC60/g5O-JsI9aXk/s1600/Classic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gep_eaEtvi4/UVCcUqQOE3I/AAAAAAABC60/g5O-JsI9aXk/s640/Classic01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THIS WAS AN EARLY "DINGBAT" AND STILL A FAVORITE</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-38748474891702333452013-03-25T19:31:00.000-04:002013-03-25T19:31:48.101-04:00ACC To Invite Florida Gulf Coast To Join League<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFZY1tmpgWo/UVCCO6t8I5I/AAAAAAABCxw/1jjJX8DPk_E/s1600/photos-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFZY1tmpgWo/UVCCO6t8I5I/AAAAAAABCxw/1jjJX8DPk_E/s640/photos-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Rob Carr/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1"><i>Sources close (geographically) to ACC headquarters swear on a stack of sweat socks that the league is seriously considering inviting Florida Gulf Coast to join the ACC.</i></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span></i></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“They are the only undefeated team in the history of the NCAA tournament,” said an ACC staffer who did not want to be identified.&nbsp; The Eagles are making their first trip to the Big Dance and they are 2-0, thus of all the teams that have participated over the years in the NCAA tournament, Florida Gulf Coast is the only one that has never lost a tournament game.</i></span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Oh, and they are the first 15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Add to that thier head coach Andy Enfield sold a major share of the company he co-founded that was valued at $100 million, is married to an ex-Super Model and is the leading NCAA free throw shooter of all time (Johns Hopkins).</span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“As the ACC looks at expansion,” a source close to ACC Commissioner John Swofford’s neighbor two doors down’s dog walker said, “Either the A(ME)C(M)C or the AC(NMCSV)C* could use a team that has an unblemished dance card.”</i></span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>FGC has managed to achieve a milestone that none of the iconic basketball powers has achieved.&nbsp; All the big boys including North Carolina, Duke, UCLA, Indiana and Kentucky have all lost multiple NCAA tournament games.</i></span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span></i><br /><i></i></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Ps6jTVZkI/UVCCjq3XyyI/AAAAAAABCx4/guJP_poVxZI/s1600/5ucbEkj.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="399" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Ps6jTVZkI/UVCCjq3XyyI/AAAAAAABCx4/guJP_poVxZI/s640/5ucbEkj.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENFIELD (USA Today)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“I should have quit while I was ahead,” mused Ol’ Roy whose second Kansas Jayhawk team defeated Robert Morris in William’s NCAA debut in 1990.</i></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i><br />Williams was then quick to point out that his nemesis Mike Krzdhvb4ski lost his first NCAA tournament game to Eastern Michigan in 1996.</i></span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>Walking away Williams might have been over heard saying, “Easter Michigan? Really?”</i></span></div><div class="p2"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>“It’s a unique honor,” a source close to the Gulf coast of Florida told T.A.H. “But, the Eagles do have another game coming up later this week, so the ACCMCSVC or whatever they are calling it now, needs to move along.”</i></span></div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1">*Atlantic (Mountain East) Coast (Midwest) Conference &nbsp;or the Atlantic Coast&nbsp;(Northeast, Midwest, Central PA, Shenandoah Valley) Conference.</div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1">*Items in italics may not be true.</div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-22743376138660622502013-03-25T14:52:00.000-04:002013-03-25T14:52:37.221-04:00This Nice Man’s Name Is Actually Kryzewski<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByOuEwfVod8/UVCBy8SZzUI/AAAAAAABCxo/6uf1xWPhsPo/s1600/photos-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="437" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByOuEwfVod8/UVCBy8SZzUI/AAAAAAABCxo/6uf1xWPhsPo/s640/photos-8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Elsa/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1">In spite of what you may have seen here over the past 8 years, Duke’s Hall of Fame head coach’s name is not spelled Kryzrhgv7ski or Kryzxcsw2ski or Kryzmklo9ski or Kryzqwdf5ski or Kryzytghb3ski nor does it have a number in it like Krzyfvmls4ski.</div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Or so we are told.</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-73483454131233529482013-03-25T13:34:00.000-04:002013-03-25T13:37:37.541-04:00Pictures Of The Last Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtCOlmv3QCs/UVB-6SxOpUI/AAAAAAABCwQ/w7xtUZcoE5M/s1600/Indonesia+v+Saudi+Arabia+Asia+Cup+Qualifier+08Kdlun2P9_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtCOlmv3QCs/UVB-6SxOpUI/AAAAAAABCwQ/w7xtUZcoE5M/s640/Indonesia+v+Saudi+Arabia+Asia+Cup+Qualifier+08Kdlun2P9_l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yes we did! We really did care about soccer...OK, no we didn’t. But, we do appreciate the passion for futbol the reigns king all over the world. Here, Yousef Mansour E Alsalem of Saudi Arabia celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2015 AFC Asia Cup Qualifying match between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on March 23, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Syamsul Bahri Muhammad/Getty Images AsiaPac)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3-_37gsZk/UVB-6f4IsuI/AAAAAAABCwU/YNfl3g6xcsg/s1600/Melbourne+Racing+kaZ6bjeBZohl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3-_37gsZk/UVB-6f4IsuI/AAAAAAABCwU/YNfl3g6xcsg/s640/Melbourne+Racing+kaZ6bjeBZohl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Can’t pull the plug without a review of some of the knowledge gained from TAH...Horse racing isn’t what it once was in the U.S. (sort of like boxing), but the Breeders Cup and Triple Crown are still a big deal. That said, the sport is thriving in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Here, Jockeys approach the straight in the Sky High Mt Dandenong Handicap during Melbourne racing at Caulfield Racecourse on March 23, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFKuaxkA12Q/UVB-6aFq7FI/AAAAAAABCwY/Sqrcr0cFOL4/s1600/Honda+Grand+Prix+St+Petersburg+Day+3+YKRJx56GjWDl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFKuaxkA12Q/UVB-6aFq7FI/AAAAAAABCwY/Sqrcr0cFOL4/s640/Honda+Grand+Prix+St+Petersburg+Day+3+YKRJx56GjWDl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And some of you discovered F1 as a result of TAH. Charlie Kimball, drives the #83 NovoLog FlexPen Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda during practice for the the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 24, 2013 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-643K0cL7C7E/UVB-6zZlehI/AAAAAAABCwg/Nry4UfqBAwg/s1600/South+Africa+v+Pakistan+5th+ODI+v_DKirwL8uSl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-643K0cL7C7E/UVB-6zZlehI/AAAAAAABCwg/Nry4UfqBAwg/s640/South+Africa+v+Pakistan+5th+ODI+v_DKirwL8uSl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Same with cricket...can’t leave without a parting shot. AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien of South Africa celebrate the wicket of Younis Khan of Pakistan during the 5th Momentum ODI match between South Africa and Pakistan from Willowmoore Park on March 24, 2013 in Benoni, South Africa. (Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsbT9qiuHIs/UVB-6wk-NdI/AAAAAAABCwk/LN6OU7bA4lQ/s1600/MotoGP+Tests+In+Jerez+Day+3+4oz4FkQUc3hl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsbT9qiuHIs/UVB-6wk-NdI/AAAAAAABCwk/LN6OU7bA4lQ/s640/MotoGP+Tests+In+Jerez+Day+3+4oz4FkQUc3hl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="p1"><span class="s1">One last picture of our favorite “crazy people.” Here, Andrea Dovizioso of Italy and Ducati Marlboro Team rounds the bend during the MotoGP Tests In Jerez - Day 3 at Circuito de Jerez on March 24, 2013 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Europe)</span></div><div class="p2"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igRM-vhTndE/UVB_ulOvriI/AAAAAAABCw4/IfHP8owj2bo/s1600/photos-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igRM-vhTndE/UVB_ulOvriI/AAAAAAABCw4/IfHP8owj2bo/s640/photos-4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Members of the band for the North Carolina Tar Heels perform against the Kansas Jayhawks during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 24, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8fPUyWMduo/UVB_ugdW7fI/AAAAAAABCw8/pZxQDoxkAns/s1600/photos-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8fPUyWMduo/UVB_ugdW7fI/AAAAAAABCw8/pZxQDoxkAns/s640/photos-7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Tyler Thornton #3 of the Duke Blue Devils makes a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer against the Creighton Bluejays during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJgwfK_u4Fk/UVB_uyO0CtI/AAAAAAABCxA/zGmH09THqSM/s1600/photos-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJgwfK_u4Fk/UVB_uyO0CtI/AAAAAAABCxA/zGmH09THqSM/s640/photos-6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Quinn Cook #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half while taking on the Creighton Bluejays during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Center on March 24, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmjk7yi1x0w/UVB_vCAMkYI/AAAAAAABCxE/u6krJYu33xY/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmjk7yi1x0w/UVB_vCAMkYI/AAAAAAABCxE/u6krJYu33xY/s640/photos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Jeff Withey #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 24, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrLlBS7k2Cw/UVB_vCwB_rI/AAAAAAABCxM/FNuTBtml1U0/s1600/sipg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrLlBS7k2Cw/UVB_vCwB_rI/AAAAAAABCxM/FNuTBtml1U0/s640/sipg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Gimme that...Miami's victory put three schools from Florida in the Sweet 16 for the first time in tournament history. And two from the ACC for something like the one millionenth time. (Greg Nelson/SI)</div><div class="p1"><br /></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-47160342650325676002013-03-25T13:05:00.001-04:002013-03-25T13:35:06.403-04:00Duke, Miami Move On To Sweet 16, Heels Headed Home <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMQekT6_Rok/UVCDL8K5gpI/AAAAAAABCyA/Ho0AE0rqh3I/s1600/sipg-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="509" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMQekT6_Rok/UVCDL8K5gpI/AAAAAAABCyA/Ho0AE0rqh3I/s640/sipg-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1">Duke and Miami are headed to the Sweet 16 while horrific shooting sends North Carolina back to Chapel Hill.</div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: lime;">MIAMI</span></i></b> 63, Illinois 59 - Shane Larkin hit a go-ahead three-pointer with a minute left and Miami gained possession on a ball knocked out of bounds that probably should have gone to Illinois, helping the Hurricanes hold on for a 63-59 victory Sunday night to advance to the NCAA round of 16.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">After Larkin's first field goal in about 9 1/2 minutes, D.J. Richardson missed a three-pointer. In the fight for the rebound, the ball appeared to ricochet off the hands of Miami's Kenny Kadji out of bounds. But the Hurricanes kept the ball, and Durand Scott made two free throws after that.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Miami (29-6) is in the round of 16 for only the second time in school history. The Hurricanes play Marquette (25-8) in Washington D.C. on Thursday night.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Larkin, the only non-senior starter for Miami and the ACC player of the year, finished with 17 points. Rion Brown had 21 with five 3s.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">More <a href="http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&amp;ATCLID=206884361"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ypeglpOkKY/UVCDZDDQYXI/AAAAAAABCyY/Ib4Z4RiNEnA/s1600/Quinn+Cook+NCAA+Basketball+Tournament+Third+qg_udDmuyKPl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ypeglpOkKY/UVCDZDDQYXI/AAAAAAABCyY/Ib4Z4RiNEnA/s640/Quinn+Cook+NCAA+Basketball+Tournament+Third+qg_udDmuyKPl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Elsa/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">DUKE</span></i></b> 66, Creighton 50&nbsp; - Rasheed Sulaimon scored 21 points, Seth Curry scored had 17 and No. 2 seed Duke held off seventh-seeded Creighton 66-50 on Sunday to advance to the round of 16 for the fourth time in five years.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">A year after they lost their NCAA tournament opener, the Blue Devils (29-5) are back in the regional semifinal for the 23rd time. They'll play No. 3 seed Michigan State (27-8) in the regional semifinal Friday in Indianapolis.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Mason Plumlee, Josh Hairston and Ryan Kelly battled foul trouble all game long that could have doomeed the Blue Devils. Creighton (28-8) went cold and never made a serious run in the second half. Doug McDermott scored 21 points but made only four baskets.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">More <a href="http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&amp;ATCLID=206909084&amp;DB_OEM_ID=4200"><span class="s2">here</span></a>. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA0quQsUtpw/UVCDUoLasHI/AAAAAAABCyQ/6l9SoGz2BFg/s1600/photos-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA0quQsUtpw/UVCDUoLasHI/AAAAAAABCyQ/6l9SoGz2BFg/s640/photos-5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Ed Zurga/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Kansas 70, <b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NORTH CAROLINA</span></i></b> 58 - The Tar Heels scored 30 points on 26% shooting in the first half and 28 points on 35.5% shooting in the second half including going 6 for 21 from behind the arc.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Game over.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Kansas is the best defensive team in the country in terms of field goal percentage holding their opponents to 36% for the season.&nbsp; The Heels shot 30.1% for the game and had no answer for 7’ Jeff Withey. It was UNC’s second lowest point total of the season.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Behind the impassioned play of Travis Releford and Withey, the top-seeded Jayhawks shook themselves out of a first-half slumber to dispatch the poor-shooting Tar Heels with minimal drama.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Withey had 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Releford finished with 22 points for the Jayhawks (31-5), who also knocked former coach Roy Williams' team out of the NCAA tournament during their 2008 title run and again last season, when Kansas marched all the way to the Final Four.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Tar Heels (25-11) harassed the Jayhawks into a dozen turnovers and one of its worst shooting performances of the season in taking a 30-21 lead at the break. But they buckled in the second half as Kansas, playing just 40 miles from its campus in Lawrence, turned up the pressure.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s3">More<a href="http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&amp;ATCLID=206908560"><span class="s2"> here</span></a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-6408769674840250012013-03-24T09:34:00.001-04:002013-03-24T09:34:14.729-04:00Bracket Busters <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-_ciS9khhk/UU8AsrKOa9I/AAAAAAABCwA/zqU8M_qNmP4/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-_ciS9khhk/UU8AsrKOa9I/AAAAAAABCwA/zqU8M_qNmP4/s640/photos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">&nbsp;(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Wichita State's Cleanthony Early (11) celebrates after his team defeated Gonzaga 76-70 during a third-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23, 2013.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Can UNC knock off Kansas?</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-46107644304022339452013-03-23T09:45:00.000-04:002013-03-23T09:48:10.292-04:00Big Dance: Three ACC Teams Advance, One Disappoints (Again)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t78Ma7yM5rU/UU2x9v1v9MI/AAAAAAABCvg/LX37VJ9_sto/s1600/photos-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t78Ma7yM5rU/UU2x9v1v9MI/AAAAAAABCvg/LX37VJ9_sto/s640/photos-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Elsa/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><span style="color: blue;">DUKE</span></i></b> 73, Albany 61 - Duke had been hearing about Lehigh for a year.<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">The second-seeded Blue Devils used the perimeter shooting of Seth Curry and the inside dominance of Mason Plumlee to put last season's NCAA tournament upset to rest, beating Albany on Friday in the second round of the Midwest Regional.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">It was in the same round - and with the same seeding - that Duke was shocked by Lehigh last March.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">"Doesn't really matter to us what people are talking about,'' Plumlee said. "We're very confident. I thought it was a good win today, and we're just focused on us.''</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">To read more, <a href="http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&amp;ATCLID=206868690&amp;DB_OEM_ID=4200"><span class="s2">click here</span></a>. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: lime;">MIAMI</span></i></b> 78, Pacific 49 - Shane Larkin is sharing a special season with all those Miami seniors.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">Larkin, the sophomore who is the only non-senior starter for the Hurricanes and the ACC player of the year, had 10 points and matched his career high with nine assists as No. 2 seed Miami beat Pacific in the East Regional on Friday.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87O5j2xdiSo/UU2yFt0PqxI/AAAAAAABCvo/M7aQaFtx8o4/s1600/photos-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87O5j2xdiSo/UU2yFt0PqxI/AAAAAAABCvo/M7aQaFtx8o4/s640/photos-4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">Playing their first NCAA tourney game in five years, the Hurricanes (28-6) took control with a 14-0 run midway through the first half. They went on to their most-lopsided victory ever in the tournament.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">Durand Scott had 21 points with five 3-pointers for the Hurricanes, who already have four wins more than they ever had before. Reggie Johnson had seven points and 10 rebounds.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">To read more, <a href="http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&amp;ATCLID=206873461"><span class="s2">click here</span></a>.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NORTH CAROLINA</span></i></b> 78, Villanova 71 - The NCAA wanted a Kansas v. Ol’ Roy rematch, and they got it. We’re sure Tar Heel Nation is delighted that the game Sunday will be played in the Jayhawks back yard.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">P.J. Hairston scored 23 points, James Michael McAdoo added 17 and North Carolina unleashed a flurry of 3-pointers to subdue gritty Villanova&nbsp; in the NCAA tournament Friday night, giving coach Roy Williams his 700th career victory.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The never-say-die Wildcats (20-14) erased a 20-point deficit that North Carolina built in the first half and then nearly climbed out of a nine-point hole in the final minutes after the Tar Heels hit three consecutive 3s and once again appeared to take control.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">The victory set up a possible dream matchup in the third round for Kansas fans, who have been jamming the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City, about 30 minutes from the Jayhawks' campus. The eighth-seeded Tar Heels (25-10) take on the winner between Western Kentucky and No. 1 seed Kansas, where Williams coached for 15 years and rang up more than 400 wins.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7S_Vk0chOMU/UU2yN_S7mqI/AAAAAAABCvw/WOkxXhJfdu4/s1600/photos-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7S_Vk0chOMU/UU2yN_S7mqI/AAAAAAABCvw/WOkxXhJfdu4/s640/photos-3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Jason Miller/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">Picking on a season-long weakness for the ninth-seeded Wildcats, North Carolina shot 11 of 21 from 3-point range while getting outrebounded 37-28.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">To read more,<a href="http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&amp;ATCLID=206878560"><span class="s2"> click here</span></a>.&nbsp; Jamie Squire</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">Temple 76, <b><i><span style="color: red;">N.C. STATE</span></i></b> 72 - The season of underachieving ended when the Wolfpack lost to&nbsp; Temple.&nbsp; Juniors Lorenzo Brown and C.J. Leslie combined to scored 42 of NC State's 72 points, and senior Richard Howell recorded his 18th double-double of the year, but the Pack's lack luster season that stared with great e</span>xpectations concluded with a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.</div><div class="p2"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">Brown finished the day with 22 points and nine assists, while Leslie had 20 points and five rebounds. Howell had a solid performance with 14 points and 15 rebounds.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">NC State (24-11), the No. 8 seed, trailed most of the game, but senior Scott Wood began a Wolfpack rally when he hit consecutive 3-pointers to cut the Temple lead to 63-60 with 3:10 left in the game.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">The Pack's rally was held off as Temple hit its free throws down the stretch.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">To read more,<a href="http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032213aaa.html"><span class="s2"> click here</span></a>. &nbsp;</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-49743536981264587762013-03-23T09:39:00.002-04:002013-03-23T09:39:39.836-04:00Ol’ Roy: Win # 700 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4o54MpwKfY/UU2wfhgH09I/AAAAAAABCvY/4Qe4bTaUZbg/s1600/photos-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4o54MpwKfY/UU2wfhgH09I/AAAAAAABCvY/4Qe4bTaUZbg/s640/photos-5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Ed Zurga/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1">Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 22, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;</div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p1">The win was Williams' 700th of his career.</div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-45701660738350475732013-03-23T09:38:00.001-04:002013-03-23T09:38:14.322-04:00Maryland Knocks Off Denver In Round 2 Of NIT <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5anWQopDoYs/UU2wJndSPNI/AAAAAAABCvQ/feLM8C4vNP8/s1600/photos-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5anWQopDoYs/UU2wJndSPNI/AAAAAAABCvQ/feLM8C4vNP8/s1600/photos-6.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WELLS (Gail Burton/AP Photo)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p1">Maryland used a small lineup to mount a big comeback in a 62-52 victory over Denver on Thursday night in the second round of the NIT.</div><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s2">Dez Wells</span><span class="s1"> scored 19 points for the Terrapins, who closed with a 23-4 run after trailing 48-39 with 9:15 left.</span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Wells fueled the surge with nine points. It was the sixth game in 12 days for the Terrapins (24-12), who won't play again until next week against either Alabama or Stanford.</span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p4"><span class="s2">Chris Udofia</span><span class="s1"> scored 24 for the Pioneers (22-10), including 19 during a first half that featured three ties and 12 lead changes. But he got his third foul with 17:55 left and fourth with 8:37 to go.</span></div><div class="p7"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Seeking its 12th win in 13 games, Denver appeared poised for an upset as the second half wore on. It was 33-all before <span class="s2">Marcus Byrd</span> drilled a 3-pointer to spark a 15-6 spree that included a three-point play and a 3-pointer by Brett Olsen.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">And then Maryland began its comeback with 7-foot-1 <span class="s2">Alex Len</span> and 6-8 <span class="s2">James Padgett</span> on the bench.</span></div><div class="p7"><span class="s1"></span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-71036750828568675132013-03-23T09:36:00.001-04:002013-03-23T09:40:00.591-04:00Pictures Of The Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuFHhfAC05M/UU2vSuDGQoI/AAAAAAABCu4/bpBbETuosgk/s1600/usp-soccer_-world-cup-qualifier-costa-rica-at-usa-4_3_rx513_c680x510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuFHhfAC05M/UU2vSuDGQoI/AAAAAAABCu4/bpBbETuosgk/s640/usp-soccer_-world-cup-qualifier-costa-rica-at-usa-4_3_rx513_c680x510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>If you play a World Cup qualifier in Colorado in March, it might snow. It did. A lot. The U.S. beat Costa Rica 1-0. (Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M0bUPDRxD4/UU2vSfXW1BI/AAAAAAABCu8/wgJKG7JWj4c/s1600/photos-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7M0bUPDRxD4/UU2vSfXW1BI/AAAAAAABCu8/wgJKG7JWj4c/s640/photos-7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Christophe Varidel #5 (R) and Chase Fieler #20 of the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles celebrate their 78-68 win as Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Georgetown Hoyas walks off of the court dejected during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Elsa/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyFi6-laxDY/UU2vSlNSLRI/AAAAAAABCvA/bB2r5LEbMDI/s1600/photos-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyFi6-laxDY/UU2vSlNSLRI/AAAAAAABCvA/bB2r5LEbMDI/s640/photos-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span>Albany Great Danes fans cheer on their team in the first half while taking on the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 22, 2013 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)</div><div class="p3"><br /></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-78999568893713153082013-03-22T08:16:00.001-04:002013-03-26T11:12:04.916-04:00It' Aint Braggin' If It's True: TAH 14-2 On Thursday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVLHWFIzY0/UUxLyDFwHPI/AAAAAAABCuM/OeBMrAFDYeY/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVLHWFIzY0/UUxLyDFwHPI/AAAAAAABCuM/OeBMrAFDYeY/s640/photos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHAT?!?!? (Harry How/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table>T.A.H. filled out two official brackets for the 2013 Big Dance. &nbsp;GP1 picked according to the Vegas line and finished the day 13-3. &nbsp;GP2 followed the great wisdom that is T.A.H. and went 14-2.<br /><br />The two losses? &nbsp;Missouri which we picked out of loyalty to the ACC figuring former Miami coach Frank Haith had caught enough flak for a while. &nbsp;In retrospect, that was dumb knowing that the Tigers upchucked in last year's tournament when they went out early to Norfolk State.<br /><br />The other loss? &nbsp;Harvard over New Mexico. <br /><br />Don't even try to tell us you saw that coming.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Props to former Dookie Tommy Amaker who<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="line-height: 12.800000190734863px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 12.800000190734863px;">o</span></span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;">utcoached his contemporary, Steve Alford, exacting revenge of sorts for the time Alford's Indiana team beat Amaker and Duke back in the 1987 regional semifinals.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;">The President went to Harvard, and he didn't pick them. &nbsp;Hell, Phil's mom didn't pick the Crimson, so don't start.</span></span><br /><br />The third loss in GP1 was Vegas' pick of Pittsburgh over the Shockers. We reversed their call in GP2.<br /><br />That said, one year not too long ago T.A.H. went 16-0 on the first day of the Dance only to finish far up the track.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-219NJaW66pM/UUykvGQlBiI/AAAAAAABCuk/y4QShoHQarg/s1600/GP2FirstRoundResult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-219NJaW66pM/UUykvGQlBiI/AAAAAAABCuk/y4QShoHQarg/s640/GP2FirstRoundResult.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Have a great day, and good luck!GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-3541861754175547902013-03-21T11:35:00.003-04:002013-03-21T11:38:57.532-04:00The T.A.H. Brackets<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qJEYBb7GJI/UUsoq1f6W_I/AAAAAAABCt0/_njBS5OdHhE/s1600/GP2+Bracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="501" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qJEYBb7GJI/UUsoq1f6W_I/AAAAAAABCt0/_njBS5OdHhE/s640/GP2+Bracket.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK ON THE BRACKET FOR A CLEARER VIEW</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><u>Bracket #1</u></i></b> was done using Las Vegas odds for each of the Round of 32 games. The boys in Vegas picked a few upsets – Creighton, Colorado and Minnesota.&nbsp; Then we went ahead and picked who we thought might win as opposed to our usual tendency to pick against the teams we don’t like.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For total points we averaged the total for the past 11 (no reason, random choice) Finals.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hh6tmh4lUU/UUsoq_EssYI/AAAAAAABCt4/weobwUYWcSw/s1600/GP1+Bracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hh6tmh4lUU/UUsoq_EssYI/AAAAAAABCt4/weobwUYWcSw/s640/GP1+Bracket.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK ON THE BRACKET FOR A CLEARER VIEW</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Bracket #2 was simply our best SWAG – scientific, wild ass guess.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />We took Louisville in both, but we really <b><i>WANT</i></b> Miami to win, just couldn't put our money where our mouths are...<br /><br />Good luck and may <b><i>YOUR</i></b> team win....<br /><br />...unless <b><i>YOUR</i></b> team is Duke, Wisconsin, Georgetown, Florida, Kansas...you get the point.</div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-27649232549024195602013-03-21T07:58:00.001-04:002013-03-21T08:46:34.442-04:00ACC Wannabe JMU Crushes LIU, Poised For First Ever 16 Seed Over 1 Seed Upset<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dWOBhxvI_A/UUr1c89mDZI/AAAAAAABCtQ/rLaDAgnr_vQ/s1600/photos-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dWOBhxvI_A/UUr1c89mDZI/AAAAAAABCtQ/rLaDAgnr_vQ/s640/photos-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAVIS (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><i><b>By G. Petty, (with an assist from the AP), soon-to-be retired Editor/Publisher T.A.H. (JMU '79)</b></i><br /><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">All hail JMU, all hail JMU Nation.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">JMU Nation celebrated last night when the beloved Dukes, absent from the big Dance since 1994, crafted a brilliant 68 to 55 win over tough, crafty, underrated and no doubt future national champion Long Island University Brooklyn in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">(No pushovers, the Blackbirds are two-time men's basketball national champions based on winning the &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: black;">National Invitation Tournament</span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">&nbsp;(NIT) in 1939 and 1941</span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">. The 1935-36 team went 25‑0 and was the overwhelming favorite to represent the United States at the&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: black;">1936 Summer Olympic Games</span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">&nbsp;in&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Berlin</span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: black;"> </span><span style="background-color: black;">with basketball a medal sport for the first time. However, the Blackbirds decided as a team to boycott the Games as a protest of Nazi Germany and its anti-Jewish policies.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span class="s1" style="background-color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1" style="background-color: black;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">That said, on the downside, i</span></span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">n 1951, &nbsp;some Blackbirds went all Black Sox and were involved in the&nbsp;</span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCNY_Point_Shaving_Scandal" style="background-color: black; background-image: none; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: none;" title="CCNY Point Shaving Scandal"><span style="color: lime;">CCNY Point Shaving Scandal</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="background-color: black;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: black;">that resulted in five players receiving a suspended sentence and one player visiting the big house.</span></span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 13.333333015441895px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The school suspended its athletic program from 1951 to 1957 due to the scandal.</span><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 13.333333015441895px;">)</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The Dukes’ faithful were a little worried when a bird - literally a black bird - appeared and flew around the arena. Alas, it was not a tell-tale omen of doom, just the LIU mascot who escaped his cage wearing his version of a technicolor dream coat.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">(The bird’s keeper, a sophomore team manager from Flatbush Avenue B, will not be suspended for the first half of LIU’s opener next season, but he will not be allowed a bagel until a month that ends in “y” according to sources close to the bird and retired FSU coach Bobby Bowden who now servers as the “Suspension Consultant” for the NCAA.)</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HfS-ZE6emo/UUr1m9ny8OI/AAAAAAABCtY/vRGz--g6vdM/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HfS-ZE6emo/UUr1m9ny8OI/AAAAAAABCtY/vRGz--g6vdM/s640/photos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">The Duke’s&nbsp;<span class="s2">A.J. Davis</span>, who stepped in as a starter after JMU’s leading scorer was suspended for the first half, led the way with 20 points.&nbsp;&nbsp;Said leading scorer, Rayshawn Goins, drew a short suspension for over consumption and failure to treat his elders with the proper respect.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Critics of the program will say he was drunk and disorderly yelling obscenities at the local constables (allegedly), but they would be wrong, or so one hopes.)</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Immediately after this stunning victory, the Dukes thoughts turned to top-seeded Indiana (27-6), who they'll play on the same University of Dayton Arena court on Friday night.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">"They're Indiana," defiant defensive stalwart&nbsp;<span class="s2">Andre Nation</span>&nbsp;(5 blocks) said. "We know about them. We see them on the TV all the time. It's not nothing new."</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">He's not the only Duke who was undaunted.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">"We have some older guys. They're typically pretty unafraid of any of the challenges we face," coach Matt Brady said.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The Dukes started fast and built a large first half lead, but the Blackbirds (20-14) battled back.&nbsp;&nbsp;LIU took a brief lead early in the second stanza, tbut he Dukes surged again to win going away closing the game on a 10-2 run.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Davis opened the game with an emphatic three-pointer as if to say this was his time. And he didn't let up.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Charles Cooke</span><span class="s1">, who hadn't scored in three of his last four games, added 15 points and Nation added 14 for the Dukes, who were winless in the NCAA tournament since 1983 and hadn't played in the big dance in 19 years.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Jamal Olasewere</span><span class="s1">&nbsp;had 20 points and 10 rebounds and&nbsp;<span class="s2">C.J. Garner</span>&nbsp;16 points for the Blackbirds, who have lost in their first game in each of their six trips to the tournament, including the last three years.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">After falling behind by as many as 12 points early,&nbsp;<span class="s2">E.J. Reed</span>'s two foul shots with 15:02 left gave the Blackbirds their first lead of the game. But after falling behind, JMU found another gear.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3daQcpKrz0/UUr1qfdE_1I/AAAAAAABCtg/afc2XpGpri0/s1600/photos-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3daQcpKrz0/UUr1qfdE_1I/AAAAAAABCtg/afc2XpGpri0/s640/photos-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s2">Devon Moore</span><span class="s1">, who had six assists, scored in transition right through the heart of the lane, Nation hit a follow and Davis took a long pass and popped in the shot off glass for a 45-40 advantage.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Now, the Dukes have are poised for the first ever 16 over 1 upset and a return to NCAA glory.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Once upon a time, Lou Campanelli coached the Dukes to mammoth NCAA upsets over Georgetown in 1981, Ohio State in 1982 and West Virginia in 1983. The 1982 team lost to eventual national champion North Carolina -- led by Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins -- 52-50 in the final minute.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">But James Madison's last appearance came with Lefty Driesell prowling the sideline in 1994.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As recently as 2007, officials at the Harrisonburg, VA university were&nbsp;advocating inclusion in the Atlantic Coast&nbsp;(Northeast, Midwest, Central PA, Shenandoah Valley) Conference (see below).</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Brady figured his Dukes have one huge advantage over Indiana since they've already played on the court. And they're already in Dayton.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">"I'm hoping they haven't arrived in town just yet and they get here right before the game starts," he said with a laugh.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">In the words of Craig “Mr.” Anderson an esteemed alum from sometime in the 1980’s, “Fear the bulldog with a chain around his neck.”</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1"><b><i>Nice, DUKES w/bling, NICE!</i></b></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-49105321976179511732013-03-21T07:54:00.002-04:002013-03-21T08:08:49.557-04:002007 & 2010: JMU Seeks Inclusion In Ever-Expanding ACC<div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvjgB83OI/AAAAAAAAjzY/4sqrKMaQhoU/s1600/JMU2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><img border="0" height="255" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvjgB83OI/AAAAAAAAjzY/4sqrKMaQhoU/s400/JMU2.jpg" width="400" /></em></span></a></div></div><div style="border: medium none;">(Editor's note: We thought today was a good day to republish this story which originally ran in 2007 and again in 2010.)</div><br />According to sources close to TAH, James Madison University, home of the Dukes, has petitioned the Atlantic Coast Conference for admission into the venerable sports conference. JMU’s slogans supporting the cause are “Two Dukes Are Better Than One” and “If You Love That Duke, You’re Gonna Really Love These Dukes (And You Don’t Have To Suck Up to Us)!”<br /><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;">According to JMU President Dr. Linwood Rose, “Our history is completely intertwined with all the ACC schools. We were founded in 1908, which makes us 17 years older than Miami and a mere 119 years younger than UNC. We would be the second newest school in the conference, practically modern since all the others were founded in 1800s by people long since dead and now culturally insignificant.”</div><br /><div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;">According to JMU President Emeritus, Dr. Ronald E. Carrier, “The similarities between Madison and the other ACC schools are quite compelling. We have 16,900 students which makes us the same size as Georgia Tech, half as big as Maryland and two and one-half times bigger than the other Duke. Oh, by the way, I never really trusted that Petty kid or Anderson, Reeves, Keyser or Chipman now that I think of it.”</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvhtA8JnI/AAAAAAAAjzQ/wJJGAXFC3IY/s1600/JMU+Football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvhtA8JnI/AAAAAAAAjzQ/wJJGAXFC3IY/s400/JMU+Football.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none;">According to Athletics Director Jeffrey Bourne, “Let’s be frank. We promise to be a doormat. Those other schools you brought in they’re messing with you. Look at Virginia Tech – they kick your ass in football and now they have the audacity to have a good hoop squad as well. We would never do that…Hell, we couldn’t do that. Our basketball team is currently 7-21 overall and 4-13 in conference. You want bad losses? We’ve lost to Towson, Northeastern, Drexel, UNC – Wilmington, Eastern Kentucky, Mt. St. Mary’s and perennial powerhouse Texas Pan Am. Oh, I almost forgot Sienna. They kicked our butts. We’ve got an RPI of 473.”</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;">According to Associate Athletics Director for Sports Programs Kevin Whit, “Our stadium is small, much smaller than Wallace Wade Stadium and our basketball house is really non-descript and only seats 7,612. I think it’s 7,613, but we can argue about that later. The $130 million John Paul Jones arena could, as Dudley Moore said in that Arthur movie, kick the s&amp;%# out of us in an arena war! We just can’t compete. Also, we don’t have any traditions or rivalries, and our kids, the “Convocation Center Lazies,” can’t/don’t/won’t come up with clever cheers at games. They just simply don’t have it in them.”</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvcLnZStI/AAAAAAAAjzI/tnCu3cnbjU8/s1600/BridgeForthStadiumExpansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvcLnZStI/AAAAAAAAjzI/tnCu3cnbjU8/s320/BridgeForthStadiumExpansion.jpg" /></a>According to Assistant Athletics Director for Development Nick Langridge, ”JMU and ACC teams that have won National Championships in basketball are practically attached at the hip. When Carolina won in 1982, the Dukes beat Ohio State in the first round only to fall 52-50 to the eventual Champs -- the Tar Heels. The next year, we whipped the Mountaineers only to lose in the next round to eventual National Champion N.C. State. I mean, we are literally a good luck charm for the ACC. In 2005, when the Heels won again, we lost in the first round of CAA tourney and were at home where we belonged watching it all on television, but we pulled for the ACC.”</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div>According to Associate Athletics Director for Development and Marketing: Geoff Polglase, “The coach of our only good NCAA basketball teams was a fellow named Lou Campanelli, and, let me tell you, Coach Lou could cuss with the best of them. Coack K -- wait at the bar! After he left here and went out to California where basketball coaches are wimps, Campanelli got in trouble for ‘verbally assaulting his players’ – another tradition at that other Duke, if you know what I mean.”<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvnZb4ssI/AAAAAAAAjzg/KC56e1vIWjE/s1600/JMU+basketball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvnZb4ssI/AAAAAAAAjzg/KC56e1vIWjE/s400/JMU+basketball.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none;">According to Associate Athletics Director for Student Athlete Services: Casey Carter, “Just like that other Duke, our school mascot is named after a man named Duke – Samuel P. Duke who was the prez from 1919 to 1949. He became president when our first top dog,&nbsp;a guy named Burrus, left Harrisonburg to go to some school called Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPISU?). They tell me it’s in Southwest Virginia somewhere, but I’ve never heard of it. Somebody in the Sports Information Department told me they changed their name, but I never got the memo. Rumor has it that their mascot is a turkey, which, quite frankly, is ‘effed up.’ Well at least our Duke guy didn’t make cigarettes and kill millions of people like that other Duke family did.”</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvKDchTXI/AAAAAAAAjy4/-cJQjAoWHjg/s1600/jmu-montana-apes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvKDchTXI/AAAAAAAAjy4/-cJQjAoWHjg/s400/jmu-montana-apes.jpg" width="400" /></a>According to Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing &amp; Promotions: Brad Edmondson, “We have some very famous alums which is important in this day and age. Look at all the famous people who have graduated from JMU including G. Petty (Editor, TAH), C. Anderson (Insane Cubs/Bear Fan), M. Reeves (MENSA, 3 VP Kup Wins), B. Chipman (Real Estate Mogul, future President Reevesman Country Club, 4 VP Kup Wins), J. Keyser (Financial Mogul, Horseplayer Par Exellence) and Dr. Marcia Angell (Editor, New England Journal of Medicine) -- who can say no to a one-six punch like that? And how about Steve Buckhantz (Sports announcer Wizards, etc.), Gary Clark (Two Super Bowls), Tony Schiavone (Professional wrestling commentator), Charles Haley (Five Super Bowls), Scott Norwood (Super Bowl "wide right"), and Elliot Sadler – OK, he didn’t graduate -- but we’re talking NASCAR here…Duke, Boston College, Miami, UVA -- got any NASCAR drivers? Huh? HUH? Didn’t think so. So c’mon let us in…Pretty please. We promise we will SUCK. That New England Journal of Medicine lady? We will put a sock in her pie hole and shut her up pronto so our intellectuals like Reeves don’t show up any of your intellectuals! C’mon, let us in!”</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvbD-nmjI/AAAAAAAAjzA/O6872KIOhYs/s1600/Bandwagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RVLfSMIB7K0/TJIvbD-nmjI/AAAAAAAAjzA/O6872KIOhYs/s400/Bandwagon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none;">Finally, according to JMU Head Football Coach Mickey Matthews, “We will kick Duke’s ass. We may lie down for everybody else, but Duke is going down. There is no hate like Dukes-on-Duke hate. No rivalry like Dukes-on-Duke brand new semi-rivalry. No crack-back block like a Dukes-on-Duke crack-back block. Hey, we won the Division 1-AA Championship in an actual playoff. To accomplish that, my mighty Dukes had to defeat Lock Haven, Villanova, Hofstra, Massachusetts, Maine, Richmond, VMI, Delaware, Towson, Lehigh, Furman, William &amp; Mary and Montana…Hey, the Blue Hens, The Tribe! They’re powerhouses! We beat Maine for heaven’s sake. Let us in. Besides, you need at least one team in the league with purple in its uniform that’s worth half-a-crap.</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;">Look, you let Virginia Tech in which made sense. You let Boston College in for who knows what reason. You let Criminal U. at Coconut Grove in for football, nice winter weather and just plain old good entertainment value, so why not us? Please.</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;"><strong><em>PUH-LEEEEZ.</em></strong></div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;">When reached for a comment on JMU’s petition to enter the league, ACC Commissioner John Swofford said, “Gusentiet.”</div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-80644399923761850572013-03-21T07:49:00.003-04:002013-03-21T07:50:20.930-04:00Picture Of The Day<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBe359ozzp8/UUrzzOz8tvI/AAAAAAABCtE/prhkhJFT2FU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-21+at+7.47.14+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBe359ozzp8/UUrzzOz8tvI/AAAAAAABCtE/prhkhJFT2FU/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-21+at+7.47.14+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC FOR A BETTER VIEW</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p1"><span class="s1">President Obama’s 2013 NCAA Tournament bracket. (ESPN)</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-5334056194482731822013-03-20T07:09:00.002-04:002013-03-20T07:11:56.272-04:00Pop Culture: Tiger And Lindsey Sitting In A Tree (Privately)<object id="e-object-204613" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="480" height="270" style="display:block"><param name="movie" value="http://www.eonline.com/static/videoplayer/platform_players/swf/CEGDynamicPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="menu" value="true" /><param name="salign" value="tl" /><param name="scale" value="exactfit" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="adUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2FN2620%2Fpfadx%2Fshows.us.eonline%2Fchelsea%2Fvideos%2Fexpand%2Finblog%3Btile%3D2%3Bpos%3D2_480x360%3Bsz%3D480x360%3Bakw%3D%3Bwid%3D%3B!category%3Ddefault%3Bpm%3D1%3Bqsg%3D13269%3Bqsg%3D13267%3Bqsg%3D2006%3Bqsg%3D1956%3Bqsg%3D1914%3Bqsg%3D384%3Bqsg%3D383%3Bqsg%3D378%3Bqsg%3D334%3Bqsg%3D326%3Bqsg%3D325%3Bqsg%3D318%3Bqsg%3D316%3Bksg%3Dmlhro9dv4%3Bksg%3Dmvqo6w89x%3Bksg%3Dmuus38edp%3Bksg%3Dmkcovyh3b%3Bksg%3Dmh2ed2p17%3Bksg%3Dm5rvyq6xu%3Bksg%3Dmvqhiob2c%3Bksg%3Dmq7a6u6z3%3Bksg%3Dmq7uj8xxs%3Bksg%3Dmmj19wdh4%3Bksg%3Dmvqqsyeby%3Bksg%3Dm3nq832gc%3Bksg%3Dmvqoz90eg%3Bksg%3Dmzkven5eg%3Bksg%3Dmkxfma1up%3Bksg%3Dmvlr0kg1f%3Bksg%3Dmvqpkmh7c%3Bksg%3Dmvqpzdeyf%3Bksg%3Dmvqh23rni%3Bksg%3Dmk1rzr4o5%3Bksg%3Dmvqoag0nd%3Bksg%3Dm0ccnoi4z%3Bksg%3Dmbhby9gex%3Bksg%3Dmvqmnpsg4%3Bksg%3Dmi5dz9jfz%3Bord%3D5283974551130086%3F&adEdition=us&locId=US&width=480&height=270&skinUrl=http://www.eonline.com/static/videoplayer/platform_players/swf/skinCEGPlayer.swf&autoPlay=false&name=Embed&releasePID=gUvTJb7uPBv_JYTeWTsplAfQXfXwmkYH&playerId=Embed&bgcolor=#000000" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.eonline.com/static/videoplayer/platform_players/swf/CEGDynamicPlayer.swf" width="480" height="270" style="display:none" id="e-embed-204613" quality="high" allowFullScreen="true" menu="true" salign="tl" scale="exactfit" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="adUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2FN2620%2Fpfadx%2Fshows.us.eonline%2Fchelsea%2Fvideos%2Fexpand%2Finblog%3Btile%3D2%3Bpos%3D2_480x360%3Bsz%3D480x360%3Bakw%3D%3Bwid%3D%3B!category%3Ddefault%3Bpm%3D1%3Bqsg%3D13269%3Bqsg%3D13267%3Bqsg%3D2006%3Bqsg%3D1956%3Bqsg%3D1914%3Bqsg%3D384%3Bqsg%3D383%3Bqsg%3D378%3Bqsg%3D334%3Bqsg%3D326%3Bqsg%3D325%3Bqsg%3D318%3Bqsg%3D316%3Bksg%3Dmlhro9dv4%3Bksg%3Dmvqo6w89x%3Bksg%3Dmuus38edp%3Bksg%3Dmkcovyh3b%3Bksg%3Dmh2ed2p17%3Bksg%3Dm5rvyq6xu%3Bksg%3Dmvqhiob2c%3Bksg%3Dmq7a6u6z3%3Bksg%3Dmq7uj8xxs%3Bksg%3Dmmj19wdh4%3Bksg%3Dmvqqsyeby%3Bksg%3Dm3nq832gc%3Bksg%3Dmvqoz90eg%3Bksg%3Dmzkven5eg%3Bksg%3Dmkxfma1up%3Bksg%3Dmvlr0kg1f%3Bksg%3Dmvqpkmh7c%3Bksg%3Dmvqpzdeyf%3Bksg%3Dmvqh23rni%3Bksg%3Dmk1rzr4o5%3Bksg%3Dmvqoag0nd%3Bksg%3Dm0ccnoi4z%3Bksg%3Dmbhby9gex%3Bksg%3Dmvqmnpsg4%3Bksg%3Dmi5dz9jfz%3Bord%3D5283974551130086%3F&adEdition=us&locId=US&width=480&height=270&skinUrl=http://www.eonline.com/static/videoplayer/platform_players/swf/skinCEGPlayer.swf&autoPlay=false&name=Embed&releasePID=gUvTJb7uPBv_JYTeWTsplAfQXfXwmkYH&playerId=Embed&bgcolor=#000000"><video id="e-video-204613" src="http://link.theplatform.com/s/CAY1CB/FlH_uuWFSrA7JvSF4ft5xCTzMw5GxPAU?feed=All%20Videos" poster="http://thumbnails.eonline.com/p/handler_20130318_highlight_a_204613.jpg" width="480" height="270" style="display:none;"><a href="http://www.eonline.com/shows/chelsea/videos/204613/chelsea-lately-tiger-woods-new-love"><img src="http://thumbnails.eonline.com/p/handler_20130318_highlight_a_204613.jpg" alt="View video: Chelsea Lately: Tiger Woods’ New Love" title="View video: Chelsea Lately: Tiger Woods’ New Love" border="0" height="270" width="480" /></a></video></embed><script type="text/javascript">try{setTimeout(function(){var e={};e.$=function(s){return document.getElementById(s);};e.s=function(t){return t.style.display='block'};e.ua=navigator.userAgent;e.o=e.$('e-object-204613');e.m=e.$('e-embed-204613');e.v=e.$('e-video-204613');if(e.ua.match(/iPad/i)){e.s(e.v)}else if(e.ua.match(/msie/i)){e.s(e.o)}else{e.s(e.m)}},100);}catch(e){};</script></object>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-58187017865353212802013-03-20T07:05:00.002-04:002013-03-20T07:06:29.593-04:00Tuesday Night ACC N.I.T. Basketball<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fc_pyQFDfxU/UUmXoRnQ0KI/AAAAAAABCss/ZtWNRPgeyTo/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fc_pyQFDfxU/UUmXoRnQ0KI/AAAAAAABCss/ZtWNRPgeyTo/s1600/photos.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FAUST&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><span style="color: red;">MARYLAND</span></i></b> 86, Niagara 70 - Nick Faust had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Maryland used a strong second half to defeat Niagara in the opening round of the NIT.<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Tied at halftime, the Terrapins (23-12) used a 21-2 run to take a 56-38 lead before coasting to the finish. Second-seed Maryland next hosts the winner of the Ohio-Denver game, held late Tuesday.</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Terrapins would have preferred their first postseason appearance since 2010 be in the NCAA tournament, but that doesn't mean they're not motivated to win the NIT.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">"Our approach has been great. If we didn't show up tonight we would have lost," coach Mark Turgeon said. "Our play in the second half shows you that we're pretty determined to get better and move on."&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">To read more, <a href="http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031913aaa.html"><span class="s3">click here.</span></a>&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">&nbsp;Louisiana Tech 71, <b><i><span style="color: #bf9000;">FLORIDA STATE</span></i></b> - The FSU The men's basketball team's 2012-13 season came to an end Tuesday night with a loss to Louisiana Tech at the Donald L. Tucker Center.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Playing in what turned out to be the final game of his unforgettable FSU career, Michael Snaer scored a team-high 24 points for Seminoles (18-16).</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">But Snaer's offensive heroics -- the California native made five of his 10 3-point attempts while playing 40 minutes -- weren't enough to overcome the 'Noles' inability to protect the basketball and halt the Bulldogs (27-6) in the second half.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Florida State committed 18 turnovers on its home floor and Lousiana Tech scored 24 points off those miscues. The Bulldogs also used a 11-0 run early in the second half to bounce back from a 28-24 halftime deficit and shot 65.5 percent in the final 20 minutes.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">To read more, <a href="http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/fsu-m-footbl-body.html"><span class="s3">click here</span></a>.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i>No, that’s not a mistake, that is the link to the Florida State football webpage. It is what it is. Time to move on.</i></b></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ECtItW5Re0/UUmX5JlwLOI/AAAAAAABCs0/N8LPtGKRz3Q/s1600/photos-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ECtItW5Re0/UUmX5JlwLOI/AAAAAAABCs0/N8LPtGKRz3Q/s1600/photos-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HARRIS (C)&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">(AP Photo/Steve Helber)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">VIRGINIA</span></i></b> 67, Norfolk State 56 - Justin Anderson scored 15 points, including four key free throws in the final minutes, and Virginia overcame a sloppy offensive performance to beat Norfolk State.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Akil Mitchell also had 15 for the Cavaliers (22-11), who won despite missing 15 free throws and 18 turnovers.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Rob Johnson scored 19 and Pendarvis Williams had 14 for the Spartans (21-12), who lost their second straight. Norfolk State had gone unbeaten in 16 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games before losing is first MEAC tournament game.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Spartans managed only five points in the last 11 1/2 minutes of the first half and trailed 26-16 at the break.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">They closed to within 47-44 with 5:41 left before two free throws by Evan Nolte, four free throws and a jumper by Anderson and then a 15-foot jumper by Anderson gave them some breathing room at 55-47.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">To read more, <a href="http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032013aaa.html"><span class="s2">click here</span></a>. &nbsp;</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-71580206470232424822013-03-20T07:02:00.001-04:002013-03-20T07:02:23.921-04:00Pictures Of The Day - Let Their Be Madness <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVLONoTQGrs/UUmXGGW5fII/AAAAAAABCsc/ov3ktWRhou4/s1600/photos-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVLONoTQGrs/UUmXGGW5fII/AAAAAAABCsc/ov3ktWRhou4/s640/photos-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Neiko Hunter #1 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders drives for a shot attempt against Beau Levesque #15 of the St. Mary's Gaels in the first half during the first round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 19, 2013 in Dayton, Ohio.&nbsp;&nbsp;St. Mary’s won the game. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxfvdDO8Bxw/UUmXGDYMSGI/AAAAAAABCsg/1vFKnA4lUyc/s1600/North+Carolina+T+Aggies+v+Liberty+Flames+IdKyIz5Mxtvl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxfvdDO8Bxw/UUmXGDYMSGI/AAAAAAABCsg/1vFKnA4lUyc/s640/North+Carolina+T+Aggies+v+Liberty+Flames+IdKyIz5Mxtvl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="p1">John Caleb Sanders #33 of the Liberty Flames misses the last shot attempt of the game against Austin Witter #31 of the North Carolina A&amp;T Aggies during the first round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 19, 2013 in Dayton, Ohio. North Carolina A&amp;T Aggies won 73-72. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)</div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-82198463805194046112013-03-19T08:34:00.000-04:002013-03-19T08:37:14.946-04:00ACC N.I.T. Basketball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5xZ6Vt0EPQ/UUhb8few33I/AAAAAAABCn0/QXE3kz9a3uU/s1600/url-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5xZ6Vt0EPQ/UUhb8few33I/AAAAAAABCn0/QXE3kz9a3uU/s1600/url-2.jpeg" /></a></div><b><i><u>Tuesday, Mar 19</u></i></b><br /><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Niagara (Purple Eagles, 4,200 students, Lewiston, NY) @&nbsp;<b><i><span style="color: red;">MARYLAND</span></i></b>, (NIT First Round), 7:00 PM, TV: ESPN2</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Norfolk State (Spartans, 6,200 students, Norfolk, VA) @&nbsp;<b><i><span style="color: orange;">VIRGINIA</span></i></b>, (NIT First Round), 9:00 PM, TV: ESPNU</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Louisiana Tech (Bulldogs, 11,581 students, Ruston, LA) @&nbsp;<b><i><span style="color: #bf9000;">FLORIDA STATE</span></i></b>, (NIT First Round), 9:15 PM, TV: ESPN3</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-31121651569116106932013-03-19T08:33:00.001-04:002013-03-19T08:35:49.790-04:00 Friday ACC NCAA Schedule<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ri3TcGW0OBw/UUhbf-w_ALI/AAAAAAABCns/4yQWpywtwzo/s1600/url.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ri3TcGW0OBw/UUhbf-w_ALI/AAAAAAABCns/4yQWpywtwzo/s400/url.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, NOW WE'RE PISSED!</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i><u>Friday, Mar 22</u></i></b><br /><div class="p1"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">DUKE</span></i></b> vs. Albany (Great Danes, 12,950 students, Albany, NY), Philadelphia, Pa., 12:15 PM, TV: CBS</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: red;">N.C. STATE </span></i></b>vs. Temple (Owles, 27,725 students, Philadelphia, PA), Dayton, Ohio, 1:40 PM, TV: TBS</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: lime;">MIAMI</span></i></b> vs. Pacific (Boxers, 3,200 students, Forest Grove, OR), Austin, Texas, 2:10 PM, TV: TNT</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NORTH CAROLINA</span></i></b> vs. Villanova (Wildcats, 6,394 students, Villanova, PA), Kansas City, Mo., 7:20 PM, TV: TNT</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-54056974283555462522013-03-19T08:22:00.004-04:002013-03-19T08:40:24.255-04:00Inaugural Coaches’ All-ACC Basketball Team<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcJK6xQjino/UUhcbvzGIGI/AAAAAAABCn8/_rLuQcu_g2k/s1600/Joe+Harris+Duke+v+Virginia+6nY2SE5DY_5l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcJK6xQjino/UUhcbvzGIGI/AAAAAAABCn8/_rLuQcu_g2k/s640/Joe+Harris+Duke+v+Virginia+6nY2SE5DY_5l.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HARRIS (Lance King/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table>Miami's Shane Larkin, who led Miami to the 2013 ACC title, and national scoring leader Erick Green of Virginia Tech join top vote getters Joe Harris and Mason Plumlee as are first-team honorees (along with that Curry kid from Duke) on the inaugural Coaches All-ACC Basketball Team announced on Monday.<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The first-, second- and third-team selections were made by a vote of the league's 12 head coaches. Balloting was conducted prior to last weekend's ACC Tournament and was based on regular season performance.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><b><i>FIRST TEAM</i></b></span><span class="s1"><br />Joe Harris, Jr., Virginia (33)<br />Mason Plumlee, Sr., Duke (33)<br />Shane Larkin, So., Miami (32)<br />Erick Green, Sr., Virginia Tech (31)<br />Seth Curry, Sr., Duke (31)</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><b><i>SECOND TEAM</i></b></span><span class="s1"><br />Reggie Bullock, Jr., North Carolina (23)<br />Kenny Kadji, Sr., Miami (23)<br />James Michael McAdoo, So., North Carolina (23)<br />Lorenzo Brown, Jr., NC State (21)<br />Richard Howell, Sr., NC State (19)</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><b><i>THIRD TEAM</i></b></span><span class="s1"><br />C.J. Leslie, Jr., NC State (15)<br />Michael Snaer, Sr., Florida State (14)<br />Ryan Anderson, So., Boston College (9)<br />Durand Scott, Sr., Miami (9)<br />C.J. Harris, Sr., Wake Forest (8)<br />Akil Mitchell, Jr., Virginia (8)</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s2"><b><i>2013 Coaches ACC All-ACC Freshmen Team</i></b></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Olivier Hanlan, Boston College 11</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke 10</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">T.J. Warren, NC State 10</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Devin Thomas, Wake Forest 10</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Marcus Paige, North Carolina 7</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Robert Carter, Jr., Georgia Tech 7</span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><b><i>2013 Coaches All-ACC Defensive Team</i></b></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Durand Scott, Sr., Miami 7</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Jontel Evans, Sr., Virginia 6</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Shane Larkin, So., Miami 6</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Julian Gamble, Sr., Miami 5</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Mason Plumlee, Sr., Duke 5</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-45773280977022315702013-03-19T08:15:00.001-04:002013-03-19T08:21:07.329-04:00Five ACC Women’s Teams Dancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3JNi9tsd0U/UUhXmg-cpHI/AAAAAAABCnc/F1Dso9-1tsI/s1600/url-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3JNi9tsd0U/UUhXmg-cpHI/AAAAAAABCnc/F1Dso9-1tsI/s400/url-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Five ACC teams are among the 64-team field for the 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship announced Monday evening.<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">ACC Champion Duke (29-2, 17-1 ACC) was selected as a No. 2 seed, North Carolina (28-6, 14-4) was tabbed a No. 3 seed and Maryland (24-7, 14-4) earned a No. 4 seed, while Florida State (22-9, 11-7) and Miami (21-10, 11-7) each received a No. 8 seed, which marks the 19</span><span class="s2"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="s1"> consecutive year that at least four ACC teams have been selected to the NCAA Championship field.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Duke, which will be appearing in the NCAA postseason field for an ACC-best 19th consecutive year, drew the No. 2 seed in the Norfolk Region. Cameron Indoor Stadium will serve as host for the first and second rounds as the Blue Devils will play No. 15 seed Hampton (28-5) on Sunday, March 24.</span></div><div class="p3"><br /></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Maryland returns to the NCAA Tournament for the program’s 21st all-time appearance and is seeded No. 4 in the Bridgeport Region. The Terrapins own a 31-19 NCAA Tournament record and captured the national championship in 2006. Maryland, which posted a 24-7 mark in regular season play, will play host to 13th-seeded Quinnipiac (30-2).</span></div><div class="p5"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2hcbK6fpy0/UUhXtLrsoVI/AAAAAAABCnk/y0Uq4XJEi5w/s1600/url-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="495" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2hcbK6fpy0/UUhXtLrsoVI/AAAAAAABCnk/y0Uq4XJEi5w/s640/url-1.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK ON GRAPHIC FOR A BETTER VIEW</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">North Carolina earned a No. 3 seed and will participate in the Big Dance for a league-best 24</span><span class="s3"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="s1"> time in program history. The Tar Heels, which finished the regular season with a 28-6 mark, including run to the 2013 ACC Tournament final, are led by All-ACC First Team honoree Tierra Ruffin-Pratt with 14.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, and ACC Rookie of the Year Xylina McDaniel (12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds). Entering the postseason with a 41-22 all-time NCAA Tournament record, UNC will face No. 14 seed, Albany (27-3).</span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1">In the Oklahoma City region, Florida State makes its 12th NCAA Championship appearance under head coach Sue Semrau.&nbsp; As a No. 8 seed, FSU will travel to Waco, Texas, to take on No. 9 seed Princeton (22-6), the Ivy League automatic qualifier.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Earning its third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth is Miami, which grabbed a No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 seed Iowa (24-7), on March 24 in Iowa City, Iowa, in the Norfolk Region.&nbsp; The Hurricanes have compiled a 4-8 record in eight previous tournament appearances.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">First- and second-round games will be played at 16 sites Saturday, March 23 through Tuesday, March 26. The 16 second-round winners will compete at the four regional sites. The Spokane Regional and the Bridgeport Regional will be played Saturday, March 30 and Monday, April 1, while the Norfolk Regional and the Oklahoma City Regional will be held Sunday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 2. The four regional winners will advance to the 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four, April 7 and 9, at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, La.</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-22709659566104079132013-03-19T08:14:00.002-04:002013-03-19T08:14:23.750-04:00Pictures Of The Day <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuzWEcoalXs/UUhV9H09zdI/AAAAAAABCms/SXi3o8wXeIY/s1600/Netherlands+v+Dominican+Republic+qdPh1wamKu8l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuzWEcoalXs/UUhV9H09zdI/AAAAAAABCms/SXi3o8wXeIY/s640/Netherlands+v+Dominican+Republic+qdPh1wamKu8l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Oye Como Va! Carlos Santana #41 of the Dominican Republic celebrates with teammates Jose Reyes #7 and Alejandro De Aza #30 after scoring in the fifth inning agianst the Netherlands during the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic at AT&amp;T Park on March 18, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv1wuXYx72o/UUhV9JbPoaI/AAAAAAABCmw/eXFhVrTsb9g/s1600/photos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv1wuXYx72o/UUhV9JbPoaI/AAAAAAABCmw/eXFhVrTsb9g/s640/photos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="s1">Twenty-three in a row...</span><span class="s2">&nbsp;LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat scores by Avery Bradley #0 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter on March 18, 2013 at theTD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Heat won their 23rd game in a row, the second longest winning streak in NBA history.&nbsp; (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYf74Q8nQc0/UUhV9NIiCTI/AAAAAAABCm0/AX3i9aKlORQ/s1600/Food+City+500+RWxmO3_rvJ3l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYf74Q8nQc0/UUhV9NIiCTI/AAAAAAABCm0/AX3i9aKlORQ/s640/Food+City+500+RWxmO3_rvJ3l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17, 2013 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2Su0mVrsOI/UUhV9W86UvI/AAAAAAABCm4/6n72q3i6wNU/s1600/url.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2Su0mVrsOI/UUhV9W86UvI/AAAAAAABCm4/6n72q3i6wNU/s640/url.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Barry Geraghty on board Bobs Worth celebrates victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup during Gold Cup day at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 15, 2013 in Cheltenham, England. (Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxUqRYEeLhs/UUhV9WbQevI/AAAAAAABCm8/PxW6HWsDc4g/s1600/wp52iim+-+Imgur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxUqRYEeLhs/UUhV9WbQevI/AAAAAAABCm8/PxW6HWsDc4g/s640/wp52iim+-+Imgur.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="p1">Super golfer and world class ladies man Tiger Woods and ski champ and gold medalist Lindsey Vonn announced they were dating by posting this spontaneous photo (clearly taken with an old cell phone or a Kodak Instamatic) on Facebook or Twitter, we aren’t sure which. One word: Yech. (Photo courtesy of one or the other’s press agent who should be fired.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7z_xrevCtQ/UUhWcbBL9PI/AAAAAAABCnU/yKEy93KvYn4/s1600/Timothy+Bradley+v+Ruslan+Provodnikov+FN5EzMYr0bol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7z_xrevCtQ/UUhWcbBL9PI/AAAAAAABCnU/yKEy93KvYn4/s640/Timothy+Bradley+v+Ruslan+Provodnikov+FN5EzMYr0bol.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="p1">Ruslan Provodnikov, of Russia, (R) lands a punch into the head of WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley during the third ninth of the WBO welterweight title boxing match at The Home Depot Center on March 16, 2013 in Carson, California. Bradley won in a narrow unanimous decision over Provodnikov to defend his WBO welterweight belt. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America)</div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><br /></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-6783301541731893862013-03-18T12:46:00.002-04:002013-03-18T12:52:11.544-04:00It Is What It Is: NCAA Snubs ACC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvFtbAhfI4E/UUdE_FT4_QI/AAAAAAABCmU/jKeK07bW6FU/s1600/ACC+Basketball+Tournament+Championship+LjRUeK2b9FIl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvFtbAhfI4E/UUdE_FT4_QI/AAAAAAABCmU/jKeK07bW6FU/s1600/ACC+Basketball+Tournament+Championship+LjRUeK2b9FIl.jpg" /></a></div>We knew the ACC was in trouble when we saw the fifth place team from the Mountain West (Boise State) make the tournament field. Then when Miami slid down to a #2 seed (becoming the first ACC regulars season and tourney champ to not receive a #1 seed in the history of dancing) and an advancing UNC got stuck with a third round game against #1 seed Kansas in Kansas City, it was pretty clear which way the plumbing was working...<br /><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/03/17/2759179/decock-ncaa-snubbed-the-acc.html">Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News &amp; Observer</a></span><span class="s3"> said it perfectly:</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><i>By Luke DeCock - Staff Columnist &nbsp;</i></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">If there was a way to snub the ACC, the NCAA committee found it. Miami isn’t happy. Duke isn’t happy. North Carolina isn’t happy. And all for good reason.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">The selection committee chairman, Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski, is headed to Georgia Tech on April 1. He may get an icy reception from his new peers, because he didn’t make any friends in his news conference Sunday.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Miami made history, and not in a good way: The Hurricanes became the first regular-season and tournament ACC champion not to get a No. 1 seed. Not only that, they were slapped into a region featuring Indiana, probably the best and most consistent team in the country over the course of the season.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">The team that snuck past them? Gonzaga, which has beaten only one NCAA tournament team – St. Mary’s, in the First Four – since December. Miami beat two in the past two days.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">"Miami had a tremendous year they’re a great basketball team and the reality is we only had four spots on the 1 line," Bobinski said. “If we had five, I tell you, Miami would be there with us. No disrespect whatsoever. We had a great appreciation for the year Miami had. In the final analysis, we put Gonzaga just ahead of them based on all that we’ve seen and evaluated over the course of the year.”</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NeYgCLBv7w/UUdFUJN5ZbI/AAAAAAABCmc/1-jQ73jVfG4/s1600/ACC+Basketball+Tournament+Championship+Jj9jITc6kB6l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NeYgCLBv7w/UUdFUJN5ZbI/AAAAAAABCmc/1-jQ73jVfG4/s1600/ACC+Basketball+Tournament+Championship+Jj9jITc6kB6l.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1">Duke not only fell out of a No. 1 seed but out of its preferred regional site of Washington, D.C., and got stuck in a regional with at least three, if not more, other Final Four candidates – Louisville, Michigan State and St. Louis, just to start. That’s a heavy price to pay for a quarterfinal loss to Maryland.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">North Carolina was handed not only a surprisingly low No. 8 seed, but set up on a collision course with Kansas – again! again! – in Kansas City, of all places. The Tar Heels appeared to have the resume of a No. 7 seed, but there will be less concern about the seeding than Roy Williams’ comfort level.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">It’s hard to argue too much with N.C. State as a No. 8, or Virginia being left out, but the committee certainly didn’t do either any favors.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">Maybe you can explain away some of that with the technicalities of seeding, scheduling and bracketing, but not all of it. The message was clear: Whatever the ACC did this season, it wasn’t good enough for the committee.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">The Hurricanes, who have been playing the no-respect card all season, probably won’t mind this too much. They start in Austin, Texas, and would move on to Washington, which given the odd geographics of the tournament sites this year, is about as soft as the travel could get for them.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span><br /><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">The Hurricanes stole the slot in Washington that Duke appeared to have nailed down long ago with its 18-1 record with Ryan Kelly in the lineup and wins over Louisville, Ohio State and Miami. The NCAA has often been accused of giving Duke preferential treatment, but the Blue Devils have a legitimate grievance this time around.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">So do the Tar Heels. Another potential North Carolina-Kansas matchup may make for great television, but it’s not fair to either team given the history involved – especially the Tar Heels, who would have to play them in Missouri for the second straight year.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1">It made for a colossal gap in emotions between the conclusion of a dramatic, compelling ACC championship game and the deflation following the unveiling of the brackets a few hours later. What was shaping up to be such a great Sunday for the conference went out the window. A difficult path lies ahead for the ACC.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/03/17/2759179/decock-ncaa-snubbed-the-acc.html#storylink=cpy">Read more here.</a>&nbsp;</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193415216281464600.post-90561029007049461432013-03-18T12:30:00.003-04:002013-03-18T12:53:15.509-04:00Four ACC Teams Get Dance Cards<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oisyxGShH5w/UUdBHaObzVI/AAAAAAABCmI/jymUIehKG_k/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-18+at+10.38.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oisyxGShH5w/UUdBHaObzVI/AAAAAAABCmI/jymUIehKG_k/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-18+at+10.38.21+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK ON GRAPHICS FOR A BETTER VIEW</td></tr></tbody></table><i><span style="color: blue;">DUKE</span></i><b> (#2 seed, Midwest Region)</b> is making its 18th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 37th overall ... the Blue Devils are a No. 1 or No. 2 seed for the 21st time under head coach Mike Krzyzewski, including each of the past six seasons ... Duke is 96-32 (.750) all-time in the NCAA Tournament with national championships in 1991, 1992, 2001 and 2010 ... head coach Mike Krzyzewski is 79-24 (.767) in NCAA Tournament play.<br /><div class="p1"><br /></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><i><span style="color: lime;">MIAMI</span></i><b> (#2 seed, East Region)</b> is making its seventh NCAA tournament appearance and its first since 2008 ... the Hurricanes' No. 2 seed ties for the highest in program history ... Miami was a No. 2 seed in the East Region of the 1999 NCAA Championship ... the Canes are 4-6 (.400) in previous NCAA Tournament appearances ... head coach Jim Larranaga is 5-5 (.500) in NCAA Tournament play, including a Final Four appearance in 2006 while the head coach at George Mason.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NORTH CAROLINA</span></i> (#8 seed, South Region)</b> is making its third straight and ACC-best 44th NCAA Tournament appearance overall ... the Tar Heels have played in 149 NCAA Tournament games and won 108, both of which totals are second in NCAA history ... North Carolina is 108-41 (.725) all-time in NCAA Tournament play with national titles in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009 ... head coach Roy Williams is 61-20 (.753) in NCAA Tournament play, including a 27-6 (.828) mark with the Tar Heels.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIL0tA9RxmY/UUdBHTwSIaI/AAAAAAABCmE/XjvTx7bnvPU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-18+at+10.38.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIL0tA9RxmY/UUdBHTwSIaI/AAAAAAABCmE/XjvTx7bnvPU/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-18+at+10.38.06+AM.png" width="640" /></a><span class="s1"><b><i><span style="color: red;">N.C. STATE</span></i> (#8 seed, East Region)</b> is making its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 24th overall ... the Wolfpack are a No. 8 seed, its highest seed since being a No. 3 seed in 2004 ... NC State is 34-22 (.608) all-time in NCAA Tournament competition ... the Wolfpack won national titles in 1974 and 1983 ... following last year's run to the Sweet 16, NC State head coach Mark Gottfried is 7-8 (.466) in eight NCAA Tournament appearances.</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">For more coverage, <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-men/d1"><span class="s2">click here</span></a> or <a href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.&nbsp;</span></div>GPnoreply@blogger.com0